A recent claim has been circulating online about a new “Friends” movie titled “Friends Reunited: The One With Chandler’s Funeral,” purportedly set for release in 2025. The claim gained traction after a video was posted on June 30, 2024, by the YouTube account @ScreenCultureOfficial, which presented what appeared to be a trailer for the film. The video suggested that the movie would be available on the streaming service Max, formerly known as HBO Max.
The trailer featured the beloved “Friends” cast members—Jennifer Aniston, David Schwimmer, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, and Matt LeBlanc—and mentioned the involvement of the show’s co-creators, David Crane and Marta Kauffman. The post implied that the film would focus on the original cast while also incorporating some of the series’ memorable recurring characters and guest stars.
Despite the excitement generated by the video, Warner Media has not announced any official release date for a “Friends Reunited” movie on Max. The video suggested that if filming were to commence in November 2024, the movie could potentially be available for streaming by summer 2025. However, this remains speculative, as no concrete plans have been confirmed by Warner Media.
The video and similar claims quickly spread across various social media platforms, including Facebook, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter), amassing over 187,000 views and interactions. Many viewers seemed to believe the trailer was genuine, with comments ranging from skepticism to excitement. One user questioned, “Who are the greedy idiots behind this idea?” while another expressed disbelief, saying, “I thought this was a parody at first. Seriously, this is happening!”
However, a closer examination reveals that the trailer is not authentic. Screen Culture clarified in the video’s caption that the trailer was a concept, not an official release. The caption explained that the video was created using altered or digitally generated content, which is why the claim has been rated as “Fake.”
Screen Culture’s YouTube account is known for producing concept and fan-made trailers from various cinematic universes, including Marvel, DC, and Star Wars. The account’s “About” section describes it as “the home of scintillating and extravagant ‘Concept/Fan-Made’ trailers.” Hundreds of similar concept trailers can be found in the “Video” section of Screen Culture’s account.
Further investigation by Snopes found no evidence that the Max streaming service had released an official trailer for a “Friends” film. No major media outlets reported on the release of such a trailer, which would have been significant news if it were true.
In conclusion, the claim that a “Friends Reunited” movie titled “The One With Chandler’s Funeral” is set for release in 2025 is false. The trailer circulating online is a fan-made concept video, not an official announcement. As of now, there are no confirmed plans for a new “Friends” movie, and fans should be cautious about believing such claims without official confirmation from Warner Media or the original cast and creators.
Source: Snopes, Screen Culture, Google Search
